I was checking in with a friend today about how I could pray for them in the coming year. They said something that I didn’t get all the way the first time. It was the key to their message for me. Then as I looked at it again, I got it. They said, “I have been asking for a fresh anointing that will anoint with strength and wisdom… it is abiding in Jesus that I bear much fruit…not in trying to bear much fruit.”
That really struck me. There is a difference in trying to bear much fruit and in actually abiding in Jesus so that we are able to bear much fruit. We have to belong to Christ in the first place to be able to abide in Him. How many times in our lives do we abide close enough to Christ to bear much fruit? Even someone that is way out there on the Vine, barely attached can produce “some” fruit. Maybe they go through their entire lives watching how other branches produce fruit. They see that it is a good thing so they start working at the task of trying to bear much fruit. They work at it. They have the language down. They say the right things. They make the right moves. They have the process down pat. But have they actually included Christ in the process?
Are we abiding in Christ so that we can be strengthened? I’ve been guilty numerous times. I am a “doer” and I like to get things done. I don’t like to wait. Sometimes things got done in my own strength, possibly with some benefit, but without the close abiding relationship with Christ that may have made it more fruitful. It makes me wonder what I could have done had I deliberately sought to abide in Christ and allow Him to fully bless my tasks and bear much fruit?
So the “bearing fruit” thing came straight from Jesus…yes, in the red words. In John 25:5-9, Jesus says, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. For those that abide in Me and I abide in them, those same ones will bring forth much fruit. For without Me, you can do nothing.”
He also declared that if a man did not abide in Him, he would be thrown out like a branch that is withered. The branches that are tossed away, men will gather and cast into the fire and they will be burned up.
Jesus went on to tell them that if they would abide in him and allow his words to abide in them that they would be able to ask what they would and it would be done under them. He also described how when they bear much fruit, His Father would be glorified. As they would do this, they would be His (Jesus) disciples.
Then He told them the same way that the Father loved Him, He (Jesus) had loved them. He instructed them to continue in his love.
This passage shows me that there is more to bearing much fruit than just the task of working toward it. We have to include in it our relationship with Christ and seek to be close to Him.
What Is the challenge for those that are following Christ from this passage? The physical description of the branch being connected to the Vine shows that the spiritual branch (us) also has to be connected to the Vine (Jesus) to survive. The branch must be attached to be fed and watered to be able to bear fruit. Our challenge here could be to make sure we are attached to the Vine, and that we are abiding in the Vine. That means that we intentionally live a life that allows us to abide in His presence.
How can we apply this to our lives? When we abide in Christ and bear “much fruit” we bring glory to God. To apply this passage to our lives we could consciously seek to have a close connection, an intimate relationship with Christ. In that way we will be close enough to Him to know the things we ought to ask for and to be able to bear the fruit that glorifies God.
What does this mean to my faith? I know that as long as I am determinedly seeking to keep a close, intimate relationship with Christ, He will honor me by putting me in the place where I can bear fruit for Him, and hopefully “much fruit.”
Lord. I love how You put people in my path that inspire me to walk closer to You. Help me to always take the time to see what You are saying to me. I want to produce much fruit for Your kingdom and I want it to look good!
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“5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” John 15:5-9 (KJV)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (KJV)
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
“By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 